Captain Scarlet - Supermarionation part 5

Gerry Anderson and his Supermarionation team were determined to make their new show Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons as real as possible but by doing so, moved closer to the darker side of human nature. 

The year is 2068 and the responsibility for world security is in the hands of an organization called Spectrum. While on a Mars mission, one of Spectrum's agents offends an alien-form known as the Mysterons. They seek the slow and painful destruction of mankind by controlling Spectum agents and many others. Mysterons have mastered the science of 'Retro-metabolism' which is the ability to reverse matter. When they kill their enemies, these same people are brought back to like, under Mysteron control. This tragedy happened to Captain Scarlet but when he plunges to his death, he returns with his full prior memories and consciousness. From then on, he became Spectrum's best weapon against the Mysterons because Captain Scarlet is indestructible.

Captain Scarlet

And The Mysterons

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Remember the intense opening credits and catchy end theme? Relive these stirring moments.

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The series premiered on British television on September 29, 1967 and officially ended on May 14, 1968. The first episodes were not broadcast to other nations (including the United States) until 1968. As compared to the puppets of their previous shows (Stingray, Thunderbirds, etc.), gone were the days of over-sized heads and short legs. The new puppets were scaled closer to more realistic human proportions. An even bigger difference from the previous shows was that characters were not only getting shot but they were actually getting killed. During the era that the series premiered, some parents condemned the show because of its realistic carnage. They were afraid that the gritty realism might negatively effect their poor children. The fact that the main character got killed and came back to life on almost every show didn't help their views.

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Little-known fact:
Within the high-tech Spectrum Patrol Vehicle (SPV) the drivers were seated backwards. Driving was done via video screen instead of looking out of the front windshield. The person's head and body were protected by rigid steel barriers instead of facing a glass windshield. Presently, car companies are only pursuing reversed front baby seats. Personally, I think that reverse driver's seats would be a lot more interesting. 

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Another little know fact:
From the series, two of the puppets were fashioned after two well known celebrities. 

Captain Scarlet

Cary Grant

Melody Angel

Eartha Kitt

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Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons was praised for the diversity that it presented both racially and gender-wise. Multiple cultures were represented and the fighter pilots (called Angels) were all females.

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Want to see more Supermarionation? Check out:

SUPERCAR

FIREBALL XL5

STINGRAY

THUNDERBIRDS

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